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Abstract

Pityopus californicus is a rare mycoheterotrophic herb that occurs in coniferous and mixed forests of western North America. Previous authors have speculated that Pityopus californicus is not a true species but is a recurring hybrid. The reputed parental candidates of P. californicus include the closely related Pleuricospora fimbriolata, Hemitomes congestum, and Monotropa hypopithys. However, a phylogenetic analysis of large ribosomal subunit (26S) rRNA gene sequences suggests that Pityopus californicus is sister to Monotropa hypopithys and not a recurring hybrid.